The Science of Deciphering Ancient Papyrus Scrolls

Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. and destroyed the Roman cities below it, but the hot ash from the volcano also created a time capsule of the cities Pompeii and Herculaneum. Until recently, the ancient scrolls in the library at Herculaneum were considered too charred and fragile to open. This short documentary by MEL Films, Would Say Would Fall, explores the incredible science behind two men’s work—a papyrologist and physicist—to decipher the documents after nearly two thousand years. To see more films from MEL, visit their website and Vimeo page.

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